Recently, the Canadian government approved an expansion of Line 3, a pipeline that has a history of leaking already. The Line 3 expansion goes through Saskatchewan and in 1999, 20,000 barrels of oil spilled into the traditional territory of the Ochapowace First Nation.
The Ochapowace have already filed formal complaints against the pipeline expansion yet Prime Minister Trudeau still approved the project. When he was elected, PM Trudeau spoke of how nation-to-nation relations between the federal government and First Nations was of utmost priority. Despite this he has approved the expansion of a pipeline whose history has proven it to be unsafe.
Because Line 3 goes through less populated areas in Saskatchewan, including several First Nations, there has been less public outcry. However, the risk for the Ochapowace people and other First Nations along the pipeline route is just as great.
We must stand together with First Nations and stop Line 3 before another disaster happens. Sign today to add your voice to the fight against pipeline expansion. By signing today you are showing your support for First Nations lives and helping to hold the Prime Minister accountable to his previous statements of building good nation-to-nation relations.
To Prime Minister Trudeau,
As someone who cares greatly about the health of the environment and First Nations who depend on wild spaces for their traditional culture I am greatly concerned about your recent approval of the Line 3 expansion.
Line 3, in 1999, spilled 20000 barrels of oil onto the traditional territory of the Ochapowace First Nation. The expansion will be in their territory and they have historic evidence of the dangers of this pipeline. With the new expansion more bitumen would be put through the pipeline increasing the chances of a damaging spill.
When you were elected you promised that nation-to-nation relations between the federal government and First Nations across Canada were your utmost priority. However, with this approval you are blatantly ignoring the voices of the Ochapowace and other First Nations who have formally expressed concerns, based on historic experience, for the Line 3 expansion.
I demand that you stop the Line 3 expansion immediately and listen to the First Nations that are working to protect the environment and their traditional territory and way of life.
[Your Comment Here]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
